In his recent programme for government, John Swinney made a welcome commitment to increase the funding for the international trade partnership programme with Scottish Chambers of Commerce. The aim of the programme is simple: to help more Scottish companies to expand into overseas markets.

In May last year, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce leveraged the programme to lead a group of smaller companies from a variety of sectors out to Singapore to explore the scope for new business both in Singapore itself and in the surrounding Southeast Asian region. We made significant progress linking our delegation to trading opportunities but we also heard many views about the vitality of Singapore’s economy.

It was therefore fascinating to read the report on Singapore’s economic success recently published by Oxford Economics for The Hunter Foundation. Several columns have already been written in response, with some challenging the relevance of Singapore’s experience to the economic challenges we face here in Scotland. I have no doubt that Sir Tom Hunter relishes the debate.

The transformation of Singapore’s economy is undeniably extraordinary. In 60 years, the country has changed from one of the world’s poorest and most resource-limited states into the eighth-richest in the world with a gross domestic product (GDP) per capita 1.4 times higher than the UK. Understanding how this was achieved is well worth our attention.

There are some unflattering comparisons for Scotland to absorb; in education outcomes, population health and industry productivity. The quality and efficiency of Singapore’s transport infrastructure and the management of its public realm are all immediately........

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